Students and staff at Denair Elementary Charter Academy demonstrated their excitement for books and reading by again participating in Read Across America last week.

Read Across America is a nationwide event coordinated by the National Education Association. It includes suggested books appropriate for students at various grade levels as well as ideas for other activities to promote reading.

At DECA, in addition to a focus on reading, last week’s activities included dress up themes each day.

• On Mixed Up Monday, students rocked their clothes inside out, backward or mismatched.
• Thing 1 and Thing 2 Tuesday was all about twinning. Some buddies even coordinated their outfits to look like Thing 1 and Thing 2.
• Oh, the Places You’ll Go Wednesday had students showing off their college shirts or sporting tees from places they’ve visited.
• I Can Read with My Eyes Shut Thursday was all about wearing shirts with readable text to flaunt their love for literacy.
• Reading is Better with a Buddy Friday wrapped up the week with cozy pajamas and stuffed buddies for some quality reading time together.

Principal Laura Cardenas said some teachers and other staff members also embraced wearing different clothes, including some who visited classrooms while dressed as characters from the Dr. Suess books “Cat in the Hat” and “The Grinch.” 

Older students also paired up with younger ones as “reading buddies” for different activities throughout the week.

“It was so nice to see everyone coming together over books and sharing the joy of reading,” Cardenas said.